Classical concerts in London

London is one of the world centres of classical music, and there’s a staggering number of concerts, recitals, festivals and lunchtime services taking place in the capital every month. Our advice? Head to any of the shows recommended below and you’ll be in for a treat.

More classical concerts and opera in London

Avant-garde theatre director Simon McBurney's take on Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' astonished audiences with its realistic magic effects and rich, otherworldly atmosphere. Now it's back at the ENO for a fresh revival. It follows Prince Tamino and his birdcatcher friend on their journey to rescue a lost princess, with the help of some enchanted musical instruments. The cast includes Lucy Crowe, Rupert Charlesworth, and Thomas Oliemans. Ben Gernon conducts.

Franz Lehár‘s winsome comic opera follows a rich and glamorous young widow as she flirts with a notorious womaniser. This new production is directed by Max Webster, who's better known for theatre productions like the Old Vic's sumptuous 'Fanny and Alexander', or offbeat family musical 'The Lorax' - he should bring out all the fun in this intrigue-filled drama. Kritiina Poska conducts.

London's most notorious murderer is stalking the stage of the Coliseum in this newly commissioned opera. But hopefully this take is a bit more sensitive than some of the more ghoulish Ripper yarns out there. Emma Jenkins' libretto puts all the focus on the group of women who are drawn together in 1880s Whitechapel as trouble looms, and interrogates the hypocrisy of Victorian morality.
British composer Iain Bell is taking on the project as his follow-up to other explorations of London's history, including 'The Harlot's Progress'(2013), and 'In Parenthesis'(2016). His emotive score will be sung by performers including Alan Opie, Lesley Garrett, and Claudia Boyle. Martyn Brabbins and ENO boss Daniel Kramer direct.

The ENO and Open Air Theatre’s collaboration enters its second year with a team up for Engelbert Humperdinck’s much-loved 1893 operatic adaptation of the popular fairly tale. OAT boss Timoth Sheader directs.